SOMEWHERE OVER WESTERN WISCONSIN – Cleaning out the notebook from a visit to Chicago Bears training camp in Bourbonnais, Ill. …

Given QB Jay Cutler’s injury history, it’s no surprise there’s concern about the Bears’ backup situation. I think it’s overblown, though. The Bears re-signed Cutler because he can elevate the people around him. The reality is any NFL backup needs to be elevated, and the strong play last season of QB Josh McCown – who parlayed it into a two-year, $10 million deal with Tampa Bay – was as much about WRs Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, TE Martellus Bennett and RB Matt Forte as anything. There’s talent to work with between Jordan Palmer, Jimmy Clausen and rookie sixth-round pick David Fales, who impressed in Friday’s preseason opener against Philadelphia. Are any of those guys going to get you 10 wins in the regular season? Probably not, but few backups would. Coach Marc Trestman knows how to put a QB in position to exploit matchups. For a spot start or two, my sense is the Bears would be OK no matter who’s out there.

A red-zone period in Monday’s practice was a perfect example of all the ways the Bears offense can beat you. First three plays: TD throw from Cutler to Bennett up the seam, swing pass to Forte for another score and a jump ball CB Charles Tillman tipped, only for Marshall to fight and come down with it in the end zone.

Losing WR Marquess Wilson for the start of the regular season with a broken clavicle hurts. There was buzz around the smooth second-year pro dating back to OTAs as a replacement for Earl Bennett – who signed with Cleveland in May, then was cut a month later – and he’d been taking the top off the defense against veterans in camp. Eric Weems filled the No. 3 role in the practice I saw. Josh Morgan could be in that mix, too.

Positive sign for the Bears offensive line: For the first time in quite a while, its ability to be competent isn’t a major storyline. The interior is in good shape. The play at tackle still needs to improve, and RT Jordan Mills remains in a walking boot, but that’s considered a short-team deal. Michael Ola, who played a season for Trestman in Canada, has been working in Mills’ place.

Even at age 32, RE Jared Allen is steadfast in his desire to be an every-down player. He told me his conversation with Trestman, DC Mel Tucker and others before signing was direct: “How do you want to use me?” Allen recalled. “They told me. OK. Because I’m not going to be a rotational guy. I’m going to play.” Does he really expect to be on the field 70 snaps a game? “I better be!” Allen said with a smile. “If we get off the field quickly, I don’t have to be on the field that long.” Good point. But I still think he’d be better off staying in the 40- to 50-snap range at this stage.

Tucker runs a variation of the Tampa-2 defense installed by former Bears coach Lovie Smith, who is now in Tampa Bay, where Leslie Frazier – Allen’s old coach in Minnesota – is the defensive coordinator. So, there’s not much change for Allen. “You can only do so much in a 4-3, right?” Allen said. “A few wrinkles here. A few different concepts on how to play a couple things. But the cool thing is there’s no handcuffs. They let our guys play within the defense, and that’s what I was kind of looking for.” Allen’s weight in the same as ever, too, in the 253 to 255 range.

LE Lamarr Houston, on the other hand, has dropped a lot of weight. He played anywhere from 285 to 310 in Oakland and is listed at 300 pounds by the Bears, but he told me Tuesday he’s down to 275. It makes sense if Houston’s going to playing a lot on the edge. He’ll bump inside in certain situations, though, and that’s where his lighter frame will be tested.

One year after injuries contributed heavily to a total collapse on defense, what identity do the Bears hope to build? “I think it’s going to be a fierce, physical, smart and furious defense that plays fast,” Houston told me. Easier said than done, but if the Bears stay healthy, it’s hard to imagine them finishing 30th in yards allowed (and dead last against the run) again. They have a unique mix of older guys – five starters over age 30 and over – and the younger crew GM Phil Emery is setting up to take over in the coming years.

Top draft pick CB Kyle Fuller has been playing outside so far in camp (where he has been terrific), but the Bears think he has long-term versatility to man the slot as well. He’s poised, mature, competitive and talented. He was practically a linebacker at times in Virginia Tech’s 4-4 scheme and has the toughness to prove it. “He’s a willing tackler,” Tucker told me. “Obviously, he’s got the skills to play the position. He’s got an excellent what I call mental disposition to play that position. He never gets too high, he never gets too low and he has shown good ability to play the next play.”

One moment in which Fuller certainly competed – yanking down Martellus Bennett by the facemask last week, prompting Bennett to body slam him and earn a suspension that ended Sunday. When I talked to Bennett on Tuesday, he was in high spirits. He has a 5-month-old daughter, Jett, and got to spend time with her during his ban. Considering he was taking first rep with the starters in practice Tuesday and Cutler was throwing his way plenty, it doesn’t seem there will be any residual effects. Every team has some players who need maintenance, and the break might have done Bennett good.

The Bears have to like the way the other tight ends stepped up since Bennett’s suspension. Zach Miller caught TD passes from Cutler and Palmer in Friday’s exhibition, and Dante Rosario made the snag of the day in Monday’s practice on a throw from Fales downfield.

One position that remains unsettled is safety, where Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray started the exhibition game and remain atop the depth chart. Chris Conte is back from injury now and I’ve heard nothing but positive things about rookie fourth-round pick Brock Vereen. That spot has been a weakness for the Bears and they need to fix it.

The fan presence at Bears camp probably was the strongest I’ve seen, with an estimated 17,500 turning out for Sunday’s practice. There are plenty of reasons to stay home for camp, as over half the league did this year. But it’s tough to replace the intimacy of being in a village like this.

Also strong: Trestman’s sprinting skills. I can’t say I’ve ever seen another head coach who hustles downfield play after play – while the action is going, like he wants to throw a block or perhaps make a tackle – and congratulates anyone who made a play on either side of the ball. He’s one of the NFL’s older head coaches at age 58 but sure doesn’t act like it.